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So I have just graduated from college and I am in the market for a gift for myself and it is time for me to step up from my sub 150 dollar pens. I am very interested in the 146 and possibly a 149 with the two tone? nibs. I have watched lots of videos but I do not have anywhere near buy that I can physically get a hold of one unfortunately. I write with FPs alot as me and my girlfriend write to each other in a journal often so is one better suited to extended writing sessions? I have seen some prefer the 149 but the size to be honest seems intimidating. I am also trying to find one used with the box and the majority of things it came with if possible but everything that fits the bill always seems to be sold on the classifieds and ebay seems a bit sketchy for a big ticket item that is often faked. any advice would be appreciated. Greensparcs

Hello All - I am new to FPN, but not to discussion forums. I have several problem pens and would appreciate your collective wisdom. I will start with this MB 146 problem. My 146 is from the mid-late 1980s. Bought it new, but then gradually put it and the others away as the world turned digital,and then briefly returned to it and others about four years ago. I did flush it out with water using the piston before putting it away, but apparently not well enough. Recently I tried MB blue black and PR Midnight Blues in the 146. I think I bought both bottles about four years ago. Over its life I have mostly used MB blue black. After finding that the pen skipped occasionally, I decided to try to clear all ink out of it until it flows clean. After rinsing the nib/feed externally, I ran water through it using the feed many times - perhaps 30 so far - letting the pen, piston full of water, sit in a glass of water for three hours at least. After a soak, a plunge produces a mildly inky stream. The piston has become hard to turn during these rinses, and close inspection shows a few tiny specks of ink on the wall of the ink window. My guess i that the specs of ink are contributing to the piston drag, if that is the problem. So, 1) is there a safe way to clean the ink out more thoroughly? Is dilute ammonia okay? Anything better to suggest? 2) Have I damaged the piston? Anything to do? 3) Are either of those inks a potential problem for the 146, assuming I am cleaning regularly and thoroughly? 4) Do I need to remove the feed, feed tube and nib? 5) Anything I have forgotten to ask?